MAB holds first meeting in Paraná state, Brazil

February 28, 2013

The Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB) will organise, between March 13th and 15th, the first State Meeting of Populations Affected by Dams in the state of Paraná. The event will take place in the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi and provides the participation of 350 militants and partners.

The meeting aims to deepen the understanding of the Brazilian energy model, advancing workers and peasants alliance for energy, stimulating the processes of organisation and struggle in defense of water and energy as public goods, setting the state agenda of the people affected by dams, strengthening the debate on the political rights of populations affected by dams and finally, preparing and encouraging the militants to participate in the National Meeting of the MAB.

Challenges
There is a potential for constructing 200 dams in the state of Paraná. Only the area currently flooded by the construction of dams in the state, about 260 000 hectares, is big enough to ensure the settlement of all landless families in the state of Paraná.
“All the regions and basins will be the scene of contention and greed of economic groups” Robson Formica said, one of the coordinators of the movement in the state. “So the workers will be remaining mobilized, fighting in defense of territories, the environment and for their rights,” concluded.
National Meeting
The National Meeting of the Movement of Dam will occur between days 3 and June 7 in Sao Paulo. The goal is to bring together about 4,000 participants and discuss a new energy model and strengthen the alliance with the electric workers and citizens. “The Paraná State Meeting will be a great opportunity to launch the National Meeting”, says the state coordinator. The idea is to publicize the meeting place for friends and allies and encourage the people of the state to participate.
Moreover, during the State Meeting will be discussed a proposal of a policy about the Rights of the Populations Affected by Dams to ensure the rights of those affected by public policy, ie by law.

Source: Movement of People Affected by Dams